Hong Kong Blaze Survivor Haunted by Guilt as Deadly Apartment Fire Investigation Continues

A week after a devastating fire ravaged Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong, leaving at least 159 dead, a survivor who helped rescue neighbors grapples with profound guilt. William Li, who had resided in the apartment block his entire life, rejects the label of “hero,” instead tormented by the belief he could have saved more lives.

“My heart breaks every time someone calls me a hero,” the 40-year-old expressed, visibly emotional. Firefighters continue to search the complex of seven burnt-out high rises for the remains of 30 additional residents who were at home when the deadly inferno erupted.

An independent committee, convened by Hong Kong’s chief executive, is investigating the fire’s origin and why so many perished. Initial findings reveal that non-fire-resistant netting had been installed around the building, and crucial fire alarms were not functioning correctly. Millenium TV has learned that the silence of these alarms initially led Mr. Li to believe the situation was not urgent when his wife first called to report a fire in their building, Wang Cheong House.

He spent nearly ten minutes gathering belongings, but upon opening his door, was immediately met by thick, suffocating smoke, forcing him to retreat. While his wife became frantic on the phone, Mr. Li acted quickly, placing wet towels under the door to keep smoke out. He then heard cries for help in the smoke-filled corridor, where visibility was zero. Covering his face with a wet towel, he located two neighbors by touch, pulling the couple into the relative safety of his apartment.

In an adjacent building, 66-year-old Bai Shui Lin also demonstrated immense bravery, reportedly saving at least three families by alerting them to the fire. Tragically, Mrs. Bai did not survive the blaze. Her sons later identified her body. “If I’d asked her to leave a minute earlier, I think she would have survived,” her son stated, “but we know her. She wouldn’t have left without warning others.”

Back in Mr. Li’s flat, the rescued couple mentioned hearing another voice in the corridor, that of a domestic worker calling for an elderly woman, but the calls had ceased. This time, Mr. Li was unable to offer help. “I feel very guilty,” he remarked. “Some people weren’t saved and I didn’t open my door again and try to find them.”

Among those who survived was Rhodora Alcaraz, 28, a domestic worker trapped in another flat caring for an infant and an elderly woman. She too is recognized for remaining steadfast by their side. All three were eventually rescued by firefighters, but not before Ms. Alcaraz sent distressing voice messages to her sister. “I’m feeling very weak. I can’t breathe,” she stated in one of the clips.

Mr. Li and the couple, identified as the Chows, eventually realized they also needed to escape. Hours had passed, and options were dwindling. One fire exit was blocked by flames, and Mr. Li’s neighbor believed the other was locked. They chose against jumping from the second-floor window due to the fire’s intensity and constant explosions. The property manager of Wang Fuk Court, a subsidiary of a Danish company, has not yet commented on reports concerning a locked emergency exit.

“It was the first time I felt death had something to do with me,” Mr. Li shared, recalling sending farewell messages to friends via WhatsApp. “I can’t escape,” he wrote. “If something happens to me take care of my children. Look after yourselves.”

Approximately two and a half hours after the fire began, firefighters reached them via an aerial ladder. Mrs. Chow recounted that Mr. Li insisted the firefighters prioritize their rescue. “We are older and told him he should leave first. He refused and said he was young and could handle this.” When firefighters returned for him, Mr. Li felt a deep reluctance to abandon his home, filled with cherished memories, photography equipment, and toy collections. “The fire was telling me that I couldn’t take anything away, that I had no right or power to stop it from devouring everything.”

Mr. Li later reunited with his family at a nearby restaurant. It wasn’t until the early hours of the morning at the hospital that the full impact of his ordeal set in. “I no longer had any strength in me and when I got to the emergency room, my knees gave in. A burning smell lingered in my nose,” he described. “I really wanted to wash away the smell.” Admitted to a ward at 3:00 AM, Mr. Li finally allowed himself to cry and begin processing the trauma. “When I had been to hospital before, I wanted to go home as soon as possible,” he explained. “But this time when the nurse asked me [if I wanted to go home], I wasn’t willing to leave. I felt like I was avoiding what I would have to face in the future.”

Despite the harrowing experience, Mr. Li has committed to confronting the trauma head-on, engaging in numerous interviews. “I hope many people will come forward to help find the truth,” he stated. “I hope Wang Fuk Court residents will be given answers and justice.”